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The letter highlights concerns raised by international staff currently on strike over pension changes. Many of them fear that engaging in the union's strike action could jeopardise their employer sponsorship because of current limits on unauthorised absence for staff on Tier 2 visas. The union says that the right to strike is enshrined in European law and has asked the government to provide written reassurance to affected staff.

UCU has also called on the Home Secretary to urgently review the case of Durham academics Ernesto Schwartz-Marín and Arely Cruz Santiago, who have been refused indefinite leave to remain because of time spent abroad for research. The letter says that flexibility is needed to ensure that university researchers can complete their work without putting their immigration status at risk.

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: 'It is absolutely unacceptable that staff engaging in lawful strike action or legitimate research should be made to fear for their immigration status. International staff make a vital contribution to our universities and we need urgent clarity from the government to address these concerns.'